Flexible coupling



June 24, 1924. 1,498,801

, F. R. MCGEE FLEXI BLE .,COUPLING Filed Aug. 23, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 f AN r AR June 24, 1924 F. R. MCGEE FLEXIBLE COUPLING Filed Aufl. 23, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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F. R. MCGEE FLEXI BLE COUPLING June 24,

Filed Aug. 23 1922 4 Sheets-Shea?. v

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June 24, 1924. -1,498,801

F. R. MCGEE FLEXIBLE COUPLING Filed Aug. 23, 1922 y 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f' ay..

vlineman June 245'; 1924.

1mm a noem, o'r STEUBENVIILLE, omo.

FLEXIBLE COUPLING.

yapplication nien August 25,1922. serial no. 533,804.

To all lwhom z't may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK R. McGnn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Steubenville, in the county of Jefferson and Stateof Ohio, havel invented certain new' and useful Improvements in Flexible Couplings,

of which t ie following is a s ecification.

This invention relates to exible couplings used to connect the contiguous ends of rotary shafts or spindles, and hasfor one of its ob- `jects the rovision of a coupling of this class that will e more compact than those heretofore devised.

' Another object is to provide a coupling having a driving box or shell, which is split on a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupled shafts forming two parts, thereby facilitating assembling and dismantling in locations where the end travel is limited. A. lfurther object is to provide a coupling of this class having means for preventing the chattering of its parts when starting or reversing the rotation of the shafts.

A still further object is to provide a couand combination of parts describedin the following specification, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings- Y Figure 1 is a to plan view of a coupling constructed accor 'ng to this invent-ion, the casing or driving box being broken away to show the cross heads.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional elevation on the line II-Ilof Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation showing a thrust collar or bearing in combination with the coupling, the driving boxor casing ofthe coupling being sectioned along its center line.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail on the line IVY--IV'of Figure 3.

./Figure 5 is a vertical sectional elevation of a modified form of coupling.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view on the line VI-VI of Figure 5.

Referring more particularlyr to the drawings, the numerals 2 and 3 designate the coupled shafts, one being the driven and the other the driving shaft. Mounted on theadjacent'ends of the shafts` 2 and 3 which y:the driving pling having the novel construction, design,

. are spaced apart to forma space 1 foroperating clearance, are cross .heads 5 and 6, respectively. The cross heads 5 and 6 are keyed to the shafts by keys 7 and are provided with recesses in their side faces for the reception of hardened steel washers 8. The washers 8 are provided with one flat face and one con- Vex" face, the iat faces fitting snugly within the recesses in the cross heads and the convex faces accurately fitting within the inner concave faces of cooperatin washers 9, whoseJ v outside faces are flat an bear against machined ybearing portions 10 of an enclosing driving box 11 which surrounds the cross heads 5 and 6.

'To facilitate assembling in the driving box, the washers 8 and 9 are drilled and tapped as at 12 for the reception of a screw (not shown) so that the washers may be held in position Yduring the assembling operation.

When the parts'V are assembled, the-screws are removed from the' apertures 12 through the spring plunger apertures 13 formed 1n The driving box 11 is split .on a line parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shafts forming a twoart box.4 Each part of the box 11 is provided with outwardly extending attaching flanges 14,.which are machined to form a tongue and groove joint 15, thus removing all shearing and twisting stresses from the flange attaching bolts 16. Dowel pins 17lare provided in the iianges 14 to assure accuratecentering and alinement of the box parts when assembling.

The driving box 11 1 s supported in position by lugs 18 on the cross heads 5 and 6,

the inner face of the box '11 at the point of contact with the lugs 18 being machined or babbitted for. a working t with the lugs 18. The cuter ends of the box 11 is provided with sealing rings 19 adapted to contact with the respectlve shafts-2 and 3 to prevent the escape of oil or grease vfrom the box and to' prevent dust entering the box.

After the coupling has-been assembled and the box bolted in position, the assembly vscrews will be removed from the washers 8 and 9 through the plunger apertures 13, and spring plungers 20 supportedvby springs 21 will be inserted in the apertures 13 and bear llO against the washers 9. 'llhe plungers 2O and springs 21 are held in position and the springs under compression by oil or grease plugs 22, which are threaded into the apertures 13 and bear against the springs 21. 'llhe plungers 20 and springs 21 serve to force the washers 8 and 9 into close and true bearing contact and' to thereby prevent chattering upon starting or reversing the rotation of the shafts.

'lihe recess or chamber formed between the plungers 20 and plugs 22, together with the drilled apertures 12 from which the assembly screws have been removed, and the rel serve pockets 24, form a lubrication system for the coupling, they either being lilled with grease, or a wick (not shown), may be inserted into the aperture 12 and coiled within the spring 21 for a wick oiling system.

'llhe driving box 11 is stiened by internal stid'ening ribs 25.

For conditions where end thrust is encountered, a balled or spherical thrust collar 26 may be used, (see Figures 3 and 4,) this collar may be an integral part of the cross head 5 or may be separate, as desired. 'llhrust from the collar 26 is takenup by the stationary thrust pressure equalizing washer 27, which in turn bears against the shaft 'journal bearing 28. The thrust bearing is enclosed in an oil and dust guard 29 carrying an oil collecting trough 30 and an oil retaining seal 31. Oil throwing or splashin projections 32 are secured to the thrust co ar 26 and these with stifening webs 33, and oil circulation grooves 34C and oil reservoir space 35 provide a thorough oil distribution and lubrication system for' the bearing. 'llhrust pressure equalizing washers 27 are prevented from rotation by thrust washer lugs 37 and stop 38, but is free to seek its own center due to the clearance be-v tween lugs 37 and stop 38 and clearance at the oil reservoir space 35.

lin lFigures 5 and 6 a modied form of coupling is shown which is particularly designed fork coupling tapered end motor shafts. rllhe coupling of Figures 5 and 6 is similar in construction to the coupling heretofore described, with the exception that the cross head 5 has a tapered bore to fit the tapered motor shaft 2a which hasa nut 5' i threaded thereon to hold the cross' head in position, and the end faces of the cross heads 5 and 6 are provided with convex projections 89 instead of being recessed to receiveconi vexly faced washers. i'llhe projections 8n taking the place of t-he washers 8 and. co-

operating Ywith the concave washers 9 to provide for the universal movement betweenl the shafts'. Also instead of the lurality of relnforcin` ribs 19 as shown in t e construction of Figures 1 to d, a continuous rein` i forcing rib is formed around the casingll and extend inwardly between the shafts 5 ineaeoi and 6 so that it inay abut against said shafts and limit the end travel of the casing.

'llhe operation of my improved apparatus will be readily understood, the washers 8 or projections 8a and washers 9 will cooperate to provide a limited universal movement between the shafts. 'llhe apparatus, is simple and will not require frequent repairs. 'llhe mechanism of the coupling is provided Ioutside of the shaft diameter instead of between the shaft ends, thereby eliminating the necessity of spacing the shaft ends a distance sufiicient to receive said mechanism as is the common practice. The driving casing is split on a line parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shafts, thus facilitating the assembling and dismantling of the coupling in locations where end travel is limited.

ll claimv 1. 'llhe combination with two shafts arranged in substantial alinement and having their abutting ends in close proximity to abutting ends, a two piece drivin box completely surrounding said cross hea s to thereby revent the escape of oil and grease and exc ude all dust from thefinterior of said coupling, said box being split on a line parallel with the longitudinal axis of said'shafts, and co-operating concave and convex faced washers mounted between said box and said cross heads to form a driving connection therewith, said washers permitting a limited universal movement of said shafts and cross heads relative to said box.

2. The combination with two shafts arranged in substantial alinement and having their abutting ends in close proximity to each other,of means for exibly coupling said shafts to each other, said means comprising a cross head secured to each of said shafts adjacent their abutting ends, a driving box mounted around said cross heads,

yand cooperating concave and convex faced washers mounted between said box and said cross heads to form a driving connection therewith, said washers permitting a limited universal movement of said shafts and cross heads relative to said box, and spring members under tension adapted to normally bear against said washers to force them against said cross heads and hold them in their true positions, thereby preventing chattering when starting or reversing the shafts, substantially as described.

3. 'llhe combination4 with two shafts arranged in substantial alinement and having their abutting ends in close roximity to each other, of means for exi ly coupling said shafts to each other, said means com-A MND lll@

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heads, and (so-operating concave and convex faced Washers mounted between said box and said cross heads to form a driving connection therewith, said washers permitting a 5 limited universal movement of said shafts and cross heads relative to said box, and means adapted to normally force said washers against said cross heads andliold them in their true positions, thereby preventing.

|ohatterin when shafts, su stantia In testimony W my hand;

starting or reversing the 10 lly as described. hereof I have hereunto set FRANK R. MCGEE. 

